St. Louis Highway Car Accident Lawyers
Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2024 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
Every year, thousands of individuals get into car accidents on the highways of St. Louis, Missouri. The statistics are downright troubling, especially if you consider that some of these accidents are preventable.
The severity of the situation on St. Louis highways has resulted in about $8 million in medical costs and more than $970 million in lost work costs per year. If you or your family member suffered injuries in a St. Louis highway car accident, you might be eligible to seek compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial losses.
How common are car accidents on St. Louis highways?
The Missouri State Highway Patrol indicated 156 road accidents in St. Louis in the past year starting from September 2020. This statistic is an increase of almost 7% from a similar period last year.
What are the common causes of highway accidents in St. Louis?
Road and weather hazards can result in poor driving conditions that increase the risk of accidents. However, drivers’ negligent and reckless actions or inactions are often the most common reasons for highway car accidents.
Contributing factors to car accidents on St. Louis highways include:
- Inexperienced drivers
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating or aggressive driving
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding or disobeying traffic laws
- Driving under the influence
Recent Car Accidents Happening on St. Louis Highways
Recent St. Louis car accidents in the news include the death of an 11-year boy on I-270. Additionally, on Reavis Barracks Road at the southbound exit of Highway 55, a driver reportedly drove right off the highway and into a mechanic shop, causing property damage.
Crash hot spots in the St. Louis area include I-55 from Butler Hill Road to Bayless Avenue. Also, there have been reports of severe accidents on 1-44 from Fenton to Big Bend. Blanchette Bridge area in St. Charles County has also seen an influx in car crashes recently.
The 50.59 miles of I-270 that run through the St. Louis metropolitan area statistically have the most serious accidents within the city. The stretch from Dogport Dog Park through Syberg’s Dorsett to the intersection merging with I-64 near Maryland Heights recorded one of the highest numbers of traffic accidents. The expansion further down I-270, traveling toward the Mercy South Medical Building, accounted for up to nine incidents in the past few months alone until September 2021.
Barracksview Road around the Walmart Supercenter has seen five fatal incidents that challenge those seen on the 1-64 stretch starting from Target through Richmond Heights and heading toward St. Louis Science Center. The I-170 stretch through Vinita Park towards Downtown Clayton adds to the growing number of St. Louis car accidents. The news reported additional deadly accidents around Webster Groves, Crystal City, Bois D’arc, and Taney Highway.
Altogether, the worst commute has to be heading through Gentry W. Putnam Street on Tuesday morning, especially during rush hour. The constant construction around the area makes it a traffic nightmare. It slows movement and results in vehicles piled up for miles waiting to travel the roadway. Additionally, you must stay alert if you live anywhere off Highway 40/64 within West Country, especially around North Lindbergh, and if you are eastbound on Highway 44 from Fenton heading into the city, you’ll want to avoid aggressive drivers as the traffic situation often leaves many frustrated. Thus, there’s a higher likelihood of motor vehicle accidents, especially in Jefferson County, including Kissee Mills, Grain Valley, King City, High Ridge, or Ridge Road East.
What can I do to protect myself when traveling on St. Louis highways?
As with any transit infrastructure, you’re in charge of your safety on St. Louis highways. Therefore, you want to stay entirely alert while on the road and ensure your actions aren’t negligent, nor do they violate traffic laws. Avoid being intoxicated or distracted, keep both your hands on the wheel, and watch out for blind spots. Always be on the lookout for other drivers not following the rules or driving erratically. Finally, keep your vehicle in good condition mechanically.
How can I stay informed of traffic conditions on St. Louis highways?
Keep up-to-date on traffic conditions on the highways in St. Louis with information from the Missouri Department of Transportation. MoDot is in charge of operating a reliable transportation system for all Missourians. They manage all assets (e.g., roadways), with a fundamental goal to move Missourians safely from one place to another.
You can visit the traveler information report to see any incidents, closed work zones, winter road conditions (especially around Lake St. Louis), or expected delays throughout the different roads in St. Louis, Missouri. Finally, you can use this website to check for road closures in Hazelwood, Jackson S. Buckner Tarsney Road, and Little Brennan Road, among others. Being aware of changing road, weather, and other influencing conditions can help you better prepare for your commute.
What can I do if I suffer injuries in a highway car accident in St. Louis?
If you experience injuries in a St. Louis highway car accident, you first want to ensure your safety. Seek medical care even if you feel fine. The emergency medical team will check you for any injuries you might have sustained and flag any concerns for additional observation since some injuries (even very serious or life-threatening ones) can be slow to appear.
After calling law enforcement, such as the Missouri State Highway Patrol, to report the incident and obtain a police report or preliminary investigation of the accident, try to collect evidence at the scene if you’re physically and safely able to. You can do this by taking pictures of the damage to your car, damages to the other vehicle, any presumed injuries to those involved, and the road and general area where the accident occurred. Talk to any witnesses about what they saw and get their contact information. Be sure to exchange information with the other party or parties involved in the crash, and cooperate with authorities to gather information about what happened. While it’s important to be honest about the events leading up to the accident, never admit guilt.
Also, you might want to consider contacting the relevant insurance providers to get your insurance claim underway as soon as possible. The insurer will likely send their own investigator to the site as they launch an investigation into your claim’s accuracy. Do not agree to any settlement without first seeking legal advice.
Finally, contacting a St. Louis car accident attorney can help protect your legal rights and solidify your claim so that you can receive fair compensation for your injuries and other damages. This compensation can help you pay for your medical bills, ongoing medical treatments, lost wages from missed time at work, pain and suffering, and other expenses stemming from the accident.
How do I know whether I'm at fault for a St. Louis highway car accident?
Determining who’s at fault for a highway car accident goes beyond pointing fingers. Specifically, to determine who carries the majority responsibility or blame for the auto accident, you want to examine the nature of the accident (e.g., striking someone from behind or hitting a parked car) and any contributing factors, including:
- Drinking and driving
- Not following traffic signals
- Texting
- Speeding
- Improper lane changes
- Right of ways
- Icy roads
- Construction zones
- Uneven roads
How can a St. Louis car accident attorney help me?
A St. Louis car accident attorney can help ensure you have the best possible chance at receiving fair compensation for the injuries and other damages you suffered. They help secure and maintain the evidence necessary to validate your claim and provide you with legal advice to determine the next steps you should take timely to receive the optimal outcome. In addition, your personal injury legal team can negotiate or advocate on your behalf so that you’re less likely to be cheated out of the compensation you deserve.
Why should I contact the St. Louis personal injury attorneys at NST Law after a highway car accident?
The aftermath of an automobile accident can be traumatizing. You have to carry the weight of the financial ramifications of the accident on top of the physical and emotional ailments you and your family members are suffering. You may have even lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence in a St. Louis highway car accident, and you’re now facing extensive medical bills, lost income, and funeral costs in addition to your grieving. You need an attorney to fight for you to get the payout you deserve to assist with your recovery and ease your financial burdens stemming from the accident.
You should consult with the St. Louis personal injury attorneys at NST Law to evaluate your case and determine your claim’s worth so that they can help you achieve the best settlement. You want someone with the confidence to push for the full extent of the damages and injuries caused to you and your property. The lawyers at NST Law have many years of experience negotiating fair and maximum settlements and striving for the best interests of their clients.
After a devastating car accident, you deserve the peace of mind that comes with hiring a lawyer to handle the legal aftermath for you. An NST Law attorney can handle your insurance claim or a civil lawsuit for compensation so that you can focus entirely on your healing and well-being. Contact our St. Louis law office today for a free initial consultation.